Sri Lankan appears in UAE court for Indian’s death

A Sri Lankan safety instructor whose alleged misconduct resulted in the death of an Indian worker appeared before a Dubai court, media reported Tuesday.

Reji Thomas, 47, suffered severe burn injuries in a massive explosion after a drop of paint fell from the roof of an unventilated chemical substances tank onto a halogen light bulb at a site in Jebel Ali Port near Dubai Jan 4 last year.

Following the explosion, Thomas was found unconscious on the floor of the tank and was rushed to hospital. He died after remaining in critical condition for seven months.

The 38-year-old unnamed Sri Lankan man, who worked as a safety and workers security supervisor, denied being responsible after he was charged for Thomas’s death in Dubai Court of Misdemeanours Tuesday, The National reported.

“I am not guilty, I didn’t cause his death,” the defendant said.

According to the prosecution, Thomas was working inside the tank when the paint fell on to the halogen bulb leading to an explosion.

This led to 80 percent of Thomas’s body being covered in third-degree burns, the medical report said.

Thomas eventually succumbed to the burn injuries while undergoing treatment in hospital for seven months.

“He (Thomas) was wearing his gear and carrying his oxygen cylinder on his back at the time,” the Sri Lankan instructor said.